SeaWaves Today in History June 1, 2009
Kenya - Madaraka Day. (Marks Kenyan self-government.) Visiting warships Dress Ship overall
1714 - Philippe Pasteur de Costebelle 1661-1717 surrenders Placentia, Newfoundland to English under Captain John Moody; moves to Cape Breton (Ile Royale); John Moody (c1677-1736) appointed Deputy-Governor of Placentia
1794 - The Battle of the Glorious First of June. A British fleet of 25 ships of the line, commanded by Admiral Earl Richard Howe, fought a French fleet of 26 ships of the line, commanded by Rear Admiral Louis Thomas Villaret de Joyeuse. The battle was actually a series of events, beginning with a serious engagement on 28 May, skirmishes and maneuvering on the following day, and the major battle on 01 Jun. The battle was fought to prevent a large convoy of grain ships from America reaching France. Both sides felt they attained their objectives - the British captured or sank seven French ships; the French were able to bring their convoy safely into port. This was the first major naval engagement of the Great War, or Napoleonic Revolutionary War, with France (1793-1815). The battle was fought so far out in the Atlantic that it was not possible to associate it with a nearby geographic feature and it has always been known by its date. The Glorious First of June is considered the hardest-fought naval engagement of the 18th century. The French assembled a convoy of 117 merchant ships in Chesapeake Bay, which was loaded with 24 million ??? of grain. The British were aware of the convoy and of state of starvation of the French people. The French planned for a close escort of four ships of the line, commanded by Admiral Pierre Jan van Stabel. They departed France on 25 Dec 1793. A support force, in squadron strength, commanded by Rear Admiral Neilly, was to sail from France and meet the convoy while en route. The main French fleet, commanded by Admiral Villaret de Joyeuse, would sail later from Brest to provide a covering force against a move by the main British fleet. The French convoy sailed from the Chesapeake Bay on 11 Apr escorted by Admiral van Stabel’s squadron. Admiral Howe assembled the British Fleet off the Isle of Wight and used frigates to scout the Western Approaches for signs of the approaching convoy. At the same time, Howe detached Rear Admiral George Montagu with six ships to provide close escort to outbound British convoys, including a particularly important one headed for the East Indies. Montague was ordered to rejoin the main fleet once the convoy was far enough southward to be beyond the reach of the French fleet. On 06 May, Admiral Neilly’s squadron sailed from Rochefort with five ships of the line, supported by a number of frigates and corvettes, to join the grain convoy. On 16 May, Villaret de Joyeuse’s battlefleet sailed from Brest. With him was a member of the Committee of Public Safety, who directed the admiral not to risk his ships in a fleet engagement, but to preserve them for a future invasion of England. The French fleet commander now had conflicting instructions to deliver the convoy safely but not to risk his fleet in the process. To make matters worse, the standards of discipline, morale, and seamanship in the French fleet were low. On 19 May, Howe’s frigates conducted a reconnaissance of Brest and discover the French fleet was gone. The main British fleet repositioned fleet towards Montagu’s squadron and convoy, to block any move by Villaret de Joyeuse’s force in that direction. Meanwhile, the French battlefleet captured the majority of a British convoy bound for Lisbon. On the same day, Villaret de Joyeuse was joined by one ship from Neilly’s squadron that reported the capture of a British convoy bound for Newfoundland, along with its escort, the frigate Castor. Also on 19 May, the frigate Venus joined Howe’s force with news that Admiral Montagu’s squadron had captured the corvette Marie-Guiton from Neilly’s fleet while it was escorting part of Castor’s convoy back to France. Venus also reports Montagu was attempting to intercept Admiral Neilly before he could join the grain convoy escort. On 21 May, Howe’s ships recaptured the brig Argo. Liberated crewmembers reported the course of the main French fleet and Howe set off in pursuit. On 25 May, two French corvettes were sighted steering after the British fleet, thinking it to be their own. Both ships were captured and burnt, as Howe could not afford to send men away as prize crews with a battle imminent. At about 08 -10 on 28 May, the main fleets sighted each other with the French bearing southwest - directly to windward. Admiral Howe gave orders to close the French line and break through to windward. The six fastest British ships of the line were formed into a flying squadron (Russell, Bellerophon, Audacious, Thunderer, Leviathan, and Gibraltar) and managed to engage the five rearmost ships of the French line. The action commenced at 14 -00 and lasted for about six hours. The last French ship, Le Revolutionaire (110 guns), was engaged closely by Audacious. Both ships were so badly damaged that they had to be detached to their own homeports. L’Audacieux escorted Revolutionaire to Rochefort, a ship from Neilly's squadron that joined the main French fleet earlier the same day. Howe’s force had won the weather gauge and it seemed impossible for Admiral Villaret de Joyeuse to avoid further action. However, the weather intervened for the next three days. The morning of 29 May dawned hazy and skirmishing between the two fleets continued from 09 -00 until about 16 -00, resulting in damage to some French ships that had to return to base. On 30 May, heavy fog prevented further action. Howe stayed in contact with the French fleet, which was reinforced by the rest of Neilly’s squadron, replacing ships damaged in the earlier action. On 01 Jun, the two fleets numbered 25 sail of the line for the British and 26 for the French. On the 31 May, the fog cleared at about 14 -00 and the French were sighted far to leeward. Admiral Howe decided to postpone his attack until the next day. With the convoy near at hand and the French coast still several days’ sailing away, Howe was certain the French would not depart. For his part, Admiral, Villaret de Joyeuse related late - "I was at my peril not to allow the great convoy to fall into the hands of Lord Howe. If I did so, my head should answer for it under the guillotine. … I only gave battle when I knew that the convoy was near at hand, and that it would fall prey to the British fleet unless that fleet was disabled by action, or busied in securing prizes, for I had made up my mind to the loss of a few ships." He attempted to draw off Howe’s force to the northwest, allowing the grain convoy to pass safely to the south, and Howe followed. At dawn on 01 Jun, the weather was fine and the French fleet was sighted at 05 -45, six miles to leeward. With the advantage of the weather gauge, Howe moved immediately to engage. The action commenced at 09 -15, about 300 miles west of the coast of Brittany. Howe planned for his ships to run parallel to the French fleet, and then turn downwind, breaking through all along their line, engaging individually against their opposite number. In fact, only Howe’s flagship, Queen Charlotte, plus Defense, Marlborough, Royal George, Queen and Brunswick were able to penetrate the French line, which, for a time, remained compact and effective. A general mêlée ensued and some French ships found themselves doubled while others had no targets. Superior British seamanship in handling their ships at close quarters and good gunnery took effect quickly - panic began to spread in parts of the French fleet. Some French ships performed superbly, in particular Villaret de Joyeuse’s flagship, Montague, was attacked by five British ships but survived despite suffering over 300 casualties. The action lasted for about four hours and resulted in 11 British and 12 French ships being heavily damaged with many dismasted. Six French ships were captured (Juste and Sans Pareil, both of 80 guns, plus Achille, Amerique, Impetueux, and Northumberland, all of 74 guns) and another, Vengeur (74 guns), was sunk. The remainder of the French fleet was severely damaged and retired in confusion for Brest. The British fleet was so heavily damaged that they could not pursue effectively. Casualties were heavy on both sides - approximately 7,000 were killed, wounded or captured for the French; about 1,000 were killed or wounded for the British. On the morning of 09 Jun, Admiral Villaret de Joyeuse encountered Admiral Montagu patrolling off Brest with a squadron of nine ships of the line (eight 74s, one 64) and three frigates. Montagu had just chased a small French squadron into Brest when he saw the main French fleet approaching. Gathering his least damaged ships into a formation, Admiral Villaret de Joyeuse pursued Montagu, who fled the scene. The remainder of the French fleet was anchored off of Brest by 11 Jun. French frigates sighted the grain convoy on 12 Jun and the fleet sailed to join Admiral van Stabel’s escort force; they entered Brest together on 14 Jun. Admirals Howe and Montagu were severely criticized for not pursuing the French battlefleet and for allowing the grain convoy to reach France. Moreover, two British convoys were destroyed. For the French the battle was a tactical defeat, but a strategic success. Admiral Villaret de Joyeuse commented - “What did I care for half a dozen rotten old hulks which you took? I saved the convoy and my head." Howe's victory was a great morale boost to the nation during the long years of warfare that lay ahead
1812 - James Madison lists grievances against Britain - seizure of US seamen, violation of US neutrality laws; US prepares for war
1813 - HMS Shannon captures USS Chesapeake, Capt. James Lawrence. As the mortally wounded Captain Lawrence was carried below, he ordered "Tell the men to fire faster! Don't give up the ship!" These words would live on in naval history. Oliver Hazard Perry honored his dead friend Lawrence when he had the motto sewn onto the private battle flag flown during the Battle of Lake Erie, 10 September 1813
1815 - The Royal Yacht Squadron founded, as The Yacht Club, at the Thatched House Tavern, St James' Street, London
1831 - James Ross first discovers the position of the North Magnetic Pole on the west coast of Boothia Peninsula; spends third Arctic winter in Victoria Harbour
Thomas Simpson 1808-1840 leaves Fort Chipewyan with Peter Dease to repeat Franklin's journey west along the Arctic coast
1840 - Samuel Cunard 1787-1865 navigates his 700 ton wooden paddlewheel steamer Unicorn to Halifax; after two week trip from Liverpool with 27 passengers
1868 - James Buchanan, the 15th president of the United States, died near Lancaster PA
1871 - RADM Rodgers lands in Korea with a party of Sailors and Marines and captures 5 forts to secure protection for US citizens after Americans were fired upon and murdered
1908 - Submarine HMS C15 completed
1914 - General Order 99 in the USN prohibits alcohol on board naval vessels, or at navy yards or stations
1915 - First contract for lighter-than-air craft for Navy
1915 - Submarine HMS V3 launched
1915 - Submarine HMS W3 launched
1915 - Submarine HMS H1 launched
1915 - Submarine HMS H2 launched
1915 - Submarine HMS H4 launched
1915 - Submarine HMS H5 launched
1915 - Submarine HMS H6 launched
1915 - Submarine HMS H7 launched
1915 - Submarine HMS H9 launched
1915 - Submarine HMS H3 launched
1915 - Submarine HMS H10 launched
1916 - Longshoremen strike all along the Pacific Coast
1916 - Submarine HMS J1 completed
1917 - Patrol vessel HMCS Lady Evelyn (ex-mail boat) commissioned
1917 - Submarine HMS K1 completed
1918 - Minesweeper HMC TR 25 commissioned
1919 - Submarines HMS A10 sold for breaking to Ardrossan Drydock Co
1920 - Depot ship (ex-cruiser) HMCS Rainbow paid off Esquimalt BC
1933 - The Northern Fleet is founded. The first ships reached the Kola Peninsula, where the fleet is based, by the newly-completed White Sea-Baltic Canal.
1939 - Director of the Naval Research Laboratory, Captain Hollis M. Cooley, proposes research in atomic energy for future use in nuclear powered submarine
1940 - 64,429 men are evacuated from Dunkirk, in spite of increasing Luftwaffe attacks. 4 British and 1 French destroyers - HMS Keith, HMS Basilisk and HMS Havant and the French 'Le Foudroyant' - are lost and 5 more damaged. The RAF sorties 8 large patrols over Dunkirk. More detail about these three RN losses - B class destroyer leader HMS Keith suffers air attacks in the English Channel off Bray at 51 06 02 32E. Her steering is jammed, her engine room damaged and she lists to port. The Admiral transfers to MTB 102 and then Keith is sunk by further bombing.36 of the crew become casualties in the air attacks, and an additional 100 when the rescue tug is lost. Destroyer HMS Basilisk is overwhelmed in a series of air attacks and loses all steam power. She is finally sunk in the English Channel off La Panne at 51 08N 02 35E in shallow water and her hull destroyed by depth charges dropped by HMS Whitehall. There are 131 survivors. Just after departing Dunkirk, HMS Havant receives two bomb hits in her engine room and another as she passes over it. She anchors and the soldiers transferred to other craft whilst under air attack. She is then abandoned, rolls over and sinks in the English Channel off Dunkirk at 51 04N 02 35E. There are 8 casualties. Minesweeper HMS Skipjack is overwhelmed by air attacks whilst evacuating soldiers from Malo les Bains. She capsizes and sinks taking with her over 270 soldiers the few that survived were machine gunned in the water. English Channel 51 03N 02 24E HMS Mosquito, a Yangtze river gunboat is overwhelmed by air attacks and sinks in the English Channel off Dunkirk. Drifters pick up her surviving crew. British decide that the air battles are becoming too dangerous for continued evacuation operations during daylight hours
1940 - The British and French tell the Norwegians about their plans to evacuate Norway
1940 - The North Carolina-class battleship Washington (BB-56) is launched at the Philadelphia Navy Yard sponsored by Miss Virginia Marshall, of Spokane, Washington, a direct descendant of former Chief Justice Marshall. The Washington is the first US Navy battleship launched since 1921
1941 - US Coast Guard establishes the South Greenland Patrol consisting of USCGC Modoc & Comanche; yard tug USCGC Raritan along with USS Bowdoin, a schooner. The ships will patrol from Cape Brewster to Cape Farewell to Upernivik
1941 - As the last troops are carried from Crete, cruisers HMS Calcutta & Coventry sail from Alexandria to provide AA cover. Calcutta is sunk north of the Egyptian coast. Some 15,000 troops are saved but at a cost to the RN of 2,000 men killed. Total warship casualties are Battleships - 2 badly damaged; Carriers - 1 badly damaged; Cruisers - 3 sunk and 5 badly damaged; Destroyers - 6 sunk and 5 badly damaged
1942 - Trawler HMS Campeaia launched Collingwood ON
1942 - River-class frigates HMCS New Waterford, Chebogue, Springhill, Orkney, Kirkland Lake (ex-St Jerome), Charlottetown, Jonquiere, Levis, Lauzon (ex-Glace Bay), Fort Erie (ex-La Tuque), Runnymede, Lanark ordered
1942 - Revised Flower Class (Increased Endurance) 1942-43 Program corvettes HMCS Parry Sound, West York, Thorlock, Strathroy, Meaford & unnamed (cancelled), Peterborough, Belleville, Smith Falls, Carelton (cancelled), Asbestos, Beauharnois, Stellarton, Lachute, Merrittonia (ex-Lachute) ordered
1942 - Corvette HMCS Trillium completed forecastle extension refit Galveston TX
1942 - President Manuel Avila Camacho of Mexico declared that a state of war had existed between Mexico and Germany, Italy, and Japan as of May 22, 1942
1942 - USS Saratoga sails from San Diego after repair of the torpedo damage that occurred January 11, 1942
1942 - 25 US submarines are in position off Midway Island
1942 - HMS P36 was lying alongside a jetty at Silema creek in Malta When the Luftwaffe attacked the harbor. A large bomb landed sufficiently near the submarine to hole her and she began to sink. Despite desperate efforts to save her she rolled over and sank
1942 - HMS Truant sinks two Japanese merchant cargo ships in Malacca Strait, 60 miles off the coast of Sumatra
1942 - While on patrol north of Sicily, HMS Urge torpedoed & sank Italian light cruiser Giovanni delle Bande Nere off Stromboli
1942 - HMS Pandora arrived at Malta loaded with stores on 31st March 1942. Having discharged her oil she was moved to Hamilton Wharf at dawn the following day. A bombing raid began as she was being further unloaded and rather than delay her progress it was decided to continue despite the raid. Between 1500 and 1600 on the afternoon of 1st April Pandora received two direct hits from bombs and sank
1942 - HIJMS I-10 launches a Yokosuka E14Y1, Navy Type 0 Small Reconnaissance Seaplane, Allied Code Name "Glen," to fly a reconnaissance mission over Diego Suarez, Madagascar
1942 - At 1300 hours local, the Japanese Kiska Invasion Force departs Kashiwabara on Paramushiru Island in the Kurile Islands enroute to Kiska Island in the Aleutians. The US Navy's Task Group 8.6 built around the light cruiser USS Nashville enters the Gulf of Alaska intending to position themselves about 400 miles south of Kodiak Island to "exploit opportunities." Unfortunately, they will be too far away for the upcoming action
1943 - USS Runner determined to be missing during June between Midway and Japan-possibly lost to mines. All hands are lost
1943 - HMCS Huntsville (ex HMS Woolvesey Castle) laid down at Troon, Scotland
1943 - Submarine HMS Sea Scout laid down
1944 - Submarine USS Herring sunk by Japanese shore batteries off Matsuwa Island Kurile Islands
1944 - Frigate HMCS Alwington renamed HMCS Royalmount
1944 - HMCS Peterborough commissioned
1944 - HMCS Algoma arrives Bermuda for workups
1944 - USS Narwhal lands 16-men and 25 tons of supplies on the SW coast of Mindanao Island in the Philippine Islands. The sub takes out two men to help plan future missions
1944 - USS Herring is lost. Possibly sunk by a Japanese shore battery -Kurile Islands. All hands are lost
1944 - Iceland severed ties with, Denmark and became an independent republic
1944 - Airships of Airship Patrol Squadron Fourteen, assigned to antisubmarine operations around Gibraltar, complete the first USN crossing of the Atlantic by non-rigid airships. The flight began 29 May from Naval Air Station (NAS) South Weymouth, Massachusetts and ended at Naval Air Facility Port Lyautey (Craw Field), French Morocco, covering a distance of 3,145 nautical miles in 58-hours of flying. Including time for stopovers at NAS Argentia, Newfoundland and Lajes Field, Azores, the airships took 80 hours to cross the Atlantic
1944 - British Broadcasting Corporation aired a coded message intended to warn the French resistance that the D-Day invasion was imminent
1944 - HMS Truculent sinks the small Japanese vessel Mantai with scuttling charges in the Strait of Malacca
1945 - Mines previously laid by B-29s sink a Japanese army cargo ship, three freighters and a tanker off Japan
?? 1945 - Lighter Covered (Non Self-Propelled) YC-1272 lost near San Pedro California
1945 - Patrol vessel HMCS Nitinat paid off & returned to owners
1945 - HMS Thule sinks a Japanese sailing vessel with gunfire of the west coast of Siam
1946 - Corvettes HMCS The Pas, Summerside, Rosthern, Napanee, Lunenburg, Chicoutimi sold for scrap to Steel Co of Canada Hamilton ON
1946 - Fairey Firefly FR I and Supermarine Seafire XV were taken on strength this date. Although naval aircraft, they were placed on the inventory of the RCAF's Eastern Air Command, whose responsibility it was to administer shore-based naval aviation
1947 - Corvette HMCS Camrose arrived Hamilton ON under tow for scrap
1948 - HMCS Magnificent arrived at Halifax from the UK for the first time. The plan had been to fly the embarked a/c to the Naval Air Section, RCAF Station Dartmouth on approach to Halifax, but low cloud and rain over the air station permitted only two aircraft to be flown off before the carrier secured alongside
1948 - A Naval Air Store Depot was established at RCAF Dartmouth, with an RCN Supply Officer appointed as OIC
1948 - RCN Firefly IV, a/c #VG971 ditched at sea
1950 - Frigate HMCS La Hulloise recommissioned
1951 - Washington State Ferries begins operations
1951 - Destroyer HMCS Skeena laid down North Vancouver BC
1952 - Destroyer HMCS Cayuga departed Korean War combat zone for Esquimalt
1954 - Reserve Air Squadron VC 924 was formed in Calgary, Alberta as tender to HMCS Tecumseh
1954 - Frigate HMCS Penetang recommissioned after modernization
1954 - First test of steam catapult from USS Hancock
1955 - Naval radio station HMCS Aldergrove commissioned
1956 - Sea Cadet training facility HMCS Quadra commissioned Comox BC for summer training
1958 - Charles de Gaulle became premier of France
1958 - USS Chittenden County CTL after grounding off Kauai
1959 - Sea Cadet training facility HMCS Quadra commissioned Comox BC for summer training
1962 - Destroyer HMCS Assiniboine commenced destroyer helicopter conversion at Victoria Machinery Depot Victoria BC
1963 - Destroyer HMCS Ottawa commenced destroyer helicopter conversion at Victoria Machinery Depot Victoria BC
1965 - Destroyer HMCS Fraser commenced destroyer helicopter conversion at Canadian Vickers Ltd Montreal PQ
1965 - Canadian Coast Guard commissions John Cabot, the world's first icebreaker cable-repair ship
1966 - USS Constellation port call Yokosuka
1966 - USS Oriskany port call Pearl Harbor
1967 - USS Kitty Hawk port call Yokosuka
1968 - Diplomatic relations are established between the USSR and Singapore
1969 - Destroyer HMCS Athabaskan laid down Lauzon PQ
1970 - USS Shangri-La port call Subic Bay
1970 - USS Ranger completed Vietnam deployment
1970 - RFA Ennerdale sank after striking submerged reef
1971 - USS Ranger port call Yokosuka
1972 - USS Hancock port call Subic Bay
1975 - USS Kitty Hawk port call Pearl Harbor
1980 - Cable News Network made its debut
1982 - RFA Sir Percivale arrives at Teal Inlet where 3 Commando Brigade forward base is established
1989 - HMCS Kootenay collides in fog with MV Nordpol off Cape Flattery
1992 - European Community temporarily suspends Grand Banks fishing to help preserve dwindling stocks; suggests unusually cold and salty water to blame, not overfishing
2003 - COSCO bulk carrier Fu Shan Hai sinks in Baltic Sea after collision with a Cypriot-registered vessel in the Baltic Sea near Bornholm Island
2003 - SS Cape Taylor laid up at Houston TX RRF
2004 - USCGC Monhegan decommissioned for modernization
2004 - Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs Paula Dobriansky and Canadian Ambassador to the US Michael F. Kergin signed an Agreement for Cooperation in Science and Technology for Critical Infrastructure Protection and Border Security in Washington DC
2005 - Netting inland waters has resulted in a $5,000 fine for a St. Bride’s resident. Stan McGrath was convicted in Placentia Provincial Court May 2, 2005. In addition to the fine, he is prohibited from angling inland waters for two years, and faces 90 days in jail if the fine is not paid within 12 months. McGrath was also ordered to forfeit 78 Atlantic salmon to the Crown as well as an all-terrain vehicle. McGrath was apprehended August 3, 2004 at Patrick’s Cove, Placentia Bay during a joint enforcement operation between fishery officers, fishery guardians and provincial conservation officers. Two other individuals also charged in this incident will have their cases heard in August. A fourth individual was convicted earlier this year and received a similar sentence. Cecil Keeping of Belleoram has been fined $1,000 for fishing cod during a closed time. He was also ordered to forfeit six gillnets to the Crown. Keeping was apprehended March 2, 2005 by fishery officers in Belloram acting on an anonymous tip. Six gillnets were found in the water, and following an investigation were determined to be Keeping’s. Lewis Snook and Frederick Snook, both of Harbour Breton, have been each fined a total of $1,500 for exceeding bag and possession limits for scallops - each man was fined $500 for exceeding the daily bag limit of 50 scallops and $1,000 for exceeding the possession limit of 100 scallops. Fishery officers completed a routine inspection of a recreational vessel April 7, 2005 at Harbour Breton and found 740 scallops. Both men onboard were charged as a result. Gary Francis Mulrooney of Jerseyside, Placentia Bay was fined $500 for the unauthorized use of a vessel, and $500 for producing false information to a fishery officer. Garrett James Mulrooney of Jerseyside was fined $500 for the unauthorized use of a vessel, and $500 for failure to complete a log book. The individuals were apprehended January 15, 2005 at Bar Haven, Placentia Bay and Arnold’s Cove by fishery officers. The men were using a larger, unauthorized vessel to catch cod and then transfer the catch to a smaller authorized vessel before landing. In addition to the fines, they were ordered to forfeit $1,355 worth of cod to the Crown. A number of convictions for exceeding crab quotas have been recorded in eastern Newfoundland provincial courts in recent weeks. Lawrence Shannahan of Calvert has been fined $2,698; Bernard Martin of Petty Harbour was fined $2,400; and Charles B. Kenny of Fermuse was fined $1,500. They all appeared in St. John’s Provincial Court. Aubrey Mercer of Upper Island Cove was fined $1,827 in Harbour Grace Provincial Court, while David Ryan of Southern Harbour was fined $1,500 when he appeared in Clarenville Provincial Court. Calvin Petten and Gerald Petten of Bareneed were each convicted in Harbour Grace Provincial Court of exceeding their crab quotas. Calvin Petten, holder of the license, was fined $5,228, while Gerald Petten, designated operator, was fined $100. Brian Lewis of St. Shotts, the holder of a crab license, was fined $1,500 for exceeding his crab quota. The designated operator of Mr. Lewis’ vessel, Shawn Noel of Bay Bulls, was fined $30. They appeared in St. John’s Provincial Court. David Dicks of Little Harbour East, the holder of a crab license, was fined $1,500 for exceeding his crab quota. The designated operator of Mr. Dicks’ vessel, Brian McGrath of St. Brides, was fined $30. They appeared in St. John’s Provincial Court. Stanislaus Bennett of Trepassey, the holder of a crab license, was fined $1,500 for exceeding his crab quota. The designated operator of Mr. Bennett’s vessel, Stan Bennett of Trepassey, was fined $30. They appeared in St. John’s Provincial Court
2005 - Bill Matthews, Member of Parliament for Random - Burin - St. George’s, announced today on behalf of Geoff Regan, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, that the federal government will invest approximately $4.8 million in repairs and improvements to fishing harbors in the area.
Burin - This harbor has insufficient facilities to serve all the fishing vessels requiring accommodation at this location. Under this project, additional cribwork will be installed adjacent to the fishermen's stage along the southern side of the harbor basin to extend available berthage and increase the service area for users. Cape St. George - Under this project, the approach and service area will be repaired to provide vehicles using the upland area with adequate access and parking. Lighting and electrical services will also be repaired and improved. Codroy - The area around the harbor, used extensively for offloading boats and tractor trailers and for light vehicle traffic, is currently not adequate to handle the traffic and operating requirements of the harbor. This project will repair and upgrade the approach and upland areas to provide a safer, cleaner and more functional operating and storage area. Port Harmon (Stephenville) - Planning and design will be undertaken for a three-year major construction project at this harbor. In total, the work will involve reconstructing a marginal wharf that is currently unsafe and facing imminent barricading. Once work is completed, the new wharf will provide users with protected berthage and an offloading and service area. Completion of this work will avoid serious disruption to fishing operations at this very active harbor. Conne River - Fisheries and Oceans Canada will participate in a major harbor development initiative at this site. The funding will allow construction of a finger pier wharf and a section of marginal wharf within this harbor. Work will be spread over two fiscal years with completion in 2006/07. The overall harbor development project is a joint venture involving Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, the Atlantic Opportunities Agency and the Miawpukek First Nation. St. Lawrence - The planning and engineering phase will commence on a two-year project to construct a marginal wharf between the launchway and the finger pier. When this project is completed, it will allow safe berthage for vessels of 35 feet and under, freeing up much needed space on the finger pier to accommodate larger vessels. The project will allow better utilization of available wharf space and reduce congestion. Garnish - In this third phase of a four-year project to upgrade facilities within this harbor, the western marginal wharf and launchway within the basin will be reconstructed along with the inner section of the marginal/finger pier wharf in the channel. The Harbour Breton wharf extension and Fox Island River wharf repair projects will be completed with the installation of concrete decks, wheel guards, ladders and fenders. In addition, reconstruction of the slipway at Rencontre East will be finished this year
2005 - Baron Tayler will go down in aviation history books as the first pilot to receive the sport pilot certificate with powered parachute privileges and as the first pilot to fly a PowerChute from coast-to-coast. The 8-12-week journey will begin in San Diego on June 1, weather permitting, launching from the deck of the USS Midway. The 3,000-mile, 53-stop excursion will take Baron Tayler from San Diego to South Carolina landing on the deck of the USS Yorktown
2005 - Lieutenant General Godfrey Ngwenya promoted as the third chief of the South African National Defense Force. Ngwenya succeeds General Siphiwe Nyanda, who is taking early retirement
2005 - Geoff Regan, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), today announced the appointment of J.W. Bud Bird as a Canadian Commissioner to the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization (NASCO). Mr. Bird will replace Chief George Ginnish. Mr. Bird has been a director of the Atlantic Salmon Federation since 1982, and has been involved with the Miramichi Salmon Association since 1996. He was awarded the Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Salmon Conservation in New Brunswick in 2004. As Minister of Natural Resources for the Province of New Brunswick, he was responsible for administering the Fish and Wildlife Act. He has also served as Member of Parliament for Fredericton-York-Sunbury. In 2001, Mr. Bird was named an Officer of the Order of Canada. NASCO was established in 1984 to provide for the conservation, restoration, enhancement and rational management of Atlantic salmon stocks. Its member countries are Canada, Denmark (in respect of the Faroe Islands and Greenland), the European Union, Iceland, Norway, Russia and the United States. Canadian Commissioners provide views to DFO, report on meetings and contribute to maintaining consensus among Atlantic salmon interests. Canada is a member of the North American Commission and the West Greenland Commission, and is an observer on the North East Atlantic Commission
2005 - A man and a boy who made a frantic 999 call last night as their boat sank beneath them, were found using mobile phone technology. A 999 call was received by Thames Coastguard via Essex Police at 0330. It was a very bad line, but the Orange operator was able to advise the Coastguard that a boat was sinking with someone on board. The Coastguard called the telephone number again, but it went through to an answering machine. In the meantime, they were able to acquire rough co-ordinates of where the man was calling from using mobile phone masts. The information was that the sinking boat was between two cells - Frinton Pumping Station towards the sea 4kms out and a second site Holland on Sea in a north easterly direction. Thames Coastguard requested the Walton and Clacton Coastguard Rescue teams to begin a search and launched the Walton RNLI all weather lifeboat and the Clacton RNLI Inshore Lifeboat. An RAF rescue helicopter from Wattisham was scrambled and Essex Police also joined the search. The Coastguard broadcast a pan pan (urgency) broadcast and a fishing vessel 'True to the Core' responded and offered its assistance with the search. At 0500 True to the Core reported that it had found an abandoned vessel, with a dinghy nearby, which had two people, a man and a boy inside. It was 12 miles from Walton on the Naze. The helicopter and Walton Lifeboat diverted away from their search and shortly afterwards the man and boy were winched from their dinghy onto the helicopter. The two were airlifted to Colchester Hospital where they were found to be cold, tired and frightened but otherwise unharmed
2005 - At 0930 Yarmouth Coastguard were contacted by a member of the public saying that that he had seen the yacht taking a pounding by the sea in the surf at Saltfleet with the wind from the SSE force 3 to 4 in a 1-meter swell. She was lying broadside onto the surf. The caller described the vessel as half way between the DZ buoy and the seal colony near the Donna Nook firing range. He described the yacht as having a yellow hull with a white top and it appeared to the caller that one person was on board. The Donna Nook Coastguard Rescue Team was sent to the area and the Mablethorpe and Humber lifeboats were also requested to launch. Upon arrival the team managed to get the one person on board safely off the vessel and fortunately he did not need any medical treatment. It was then found that the anchor had been ripped off and the rudder was jammed hard over to port. The vessel had also run out of fuel. The RAF authorities were advised of the emergency and range activity was temporarily adjusted to allow for the passage of the Humber Lifeboat towing the casualty to Grimsby. The tow was attached by Mablethorpe Lifeboat and then passed to the Humber Lifeboat. An RNLI crewman was put on board the boat to assist whilst the owner of the yacht traveled back to Grimsby by car
2005 - Patrol boats from South Korea and Japan remained confronting each other reported South Korean Yonhap News Agency. A South Korean fishing vessel fled back to South Korea waters in the East Sea (Sea of Japan) that separates the two nations after being accused of fishing in Japan's exclusive economic zone (EEZ), said Yonhap. The report also said maritime officers from the two nations are now conducting negotiations aboard the vessel for a peaceful resolution.
As of late Wednesday afternoon, all eight South Korean crewmembers of the fishing vessel had been transferred safely to one of South Korean coast guard vessels, Yonhap said. The confrontation developed early Wednesday as three Japanese patrol boats tried to seize the 77-ton eel-fishing South Korean boat for allegedly violating the law in the country's EEZ. After a brief scuffle, the trawler "Sinpung-ho" fled back to South Korea's EEZ about 16 miles off Ulsan, a southeastern South Korean port some 400 kilometers away from Seoul. Four South Korean patrol boats rushed to the area as a tense standoff began at around 0200. An unidentified number of patrol boats from each side were tied to the fishing boat with several ropes. As the confrontation showed no signs of a resolution, South Korea's Foreign Ministry called in a diplomatic minister at the Japanese Embassy to Seoul and urged Japan to withdraw from the area
2005 - Port Manatee today became the nation's first seaport receiving certification from the US Maritime Administration (MARAD) for its seaport security training coursework. The port's training courses comply with the congressional Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 (MTSA) and International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) code. Training is based on curriculum models provided by MARAD
2005 - Superior Energy Services, Inc. announced that it sold 17 of its small rental liftboats to Hercules Offshore, LLC for approximately $20 million. The liftboats sold include all eight liftboats in the Company's 105-foot class fleet and all nine liftboats in the Company's 120-135 foot class fleet
2005 - Superstructure of future FGS Braunschweig fitted to forward hull section at Hamburg
2005 - The DD(X) National Team, led by Northrop Grumman and in partnership with Raytheon, General Dynamics, United Defense and Lockheed Martin, announces the successful completion of Underwater Explosion (UNDEX) testing on the DD(X) Quarter Scale Model. This test provided a critical step in demonstrating that the DD(X) wave piercing tumblehome hull form fully meets the operational requirements set forth by the US Navy. The primary purpose of the testing was to determine the DD(X) hull form's reaction to an UNDEX to demonstrate the validity of the DD(X) design. Explosive charges were placed at predetermined distances from the DD(X) Model. Intensity of the charges increased as the test series progressed. A large plume resulted from the explosions and the DD(X) wave-piercing bow, tumblehome cross section, step deck area and rising stern responded as envisioned
2006 - Hercules Offshore, Inc. completed acquisition of a fleet of five liftboats from Laborde Marine Lifts, Inc. for $49.3 million. In addition, Hercules assumed the construction of a sixth liftboat with expected delivery in July 2006. Pursuant to the terms of the purchase agreement, the original purchase price of $52 million was reduced by $2.6 million, which represents the total amount owed by Laborde Marine Lifts, Inc. under the construction contract for the sixth liftboat. The six liftboats have leg lengths ranging from 105 feet to 200 feet and are currently located in the Gulf of Mexico
2006 - At 0717 Aberdeen Coastguard received a 999 Emergency call from witnesses who had seen the FV Susan K capsize in the water just off Peterhead. The crew of two were fishing with creels when their vessel suddenly and quickly capsized sending them into the water. Aberdeen Coastguard requested the Coastguard rescue team from Peterhead to the scene; they also requested the launch of the brand new Peterhead RNLI Tamar lifeboat. The lifeboat quickly launched and reached the two men within 22 minutes of the Coastguard receiving the initial emergency call. Aberdeen Coastguard also requested the assistance of a rescue helicopter from RAF Lossiemouth, however due to the fast response of the lifeboat, the helicopter was called off. The crewmen, from Peterhead, were found to be shocked but otherwise well and did not require ambulance treatment. Susan K was towed back to Peterhead
2006 - At 1330 the Coastguard at Dover received an emergency call from Sussex Ambulance alerting them to an incident of a four year old boy who has his head stuck between rocks on the beach at St Leonards-on-Sea near Hastings, and requesting urgent assistance from the Coastguard cliff teams
2006 - At 2150, the Coastguard were alerted by a 999 call from the father of overdue 10M fishing vessel Brothers BF136 skipper, reporting them overdue with a crew of two. Vessel departed Gairloch at 0230 heading for the fishing grounds and was due back yesterday evening. Stornoway Coastguard called out Gairloch, Loch Ewe and Torridon Coastguard rescue teams, The coastguard rescue helicopter Mike Uniform was scrambled and the Portree RNLI lifeboat was requested to launch. Several other fishing vessels have also offered their assistance to the coastguard in the search for Brothers. They are FV's Oceana, Madalia, Stella Maris, Silver Cloud, and Franchise
2006 - Greece's coast guard was scouring the seas off the island of Hydra as a search continued for five seafarers missing after a collision between a Panama-flagged cargo ship and a modern Greek chemical and oil tanker. The operation included helicopters, surface vessels and divers, reports said. One crewman, believed to be Turkish, was pronounced dead and seven more were saved and taken to hospital in Elefsina on the mainland after the 2,500 grt Han sank after colliding with the Greek flag Alios Artemis in the afternoon, a spokesperson at the country's Ministry of Merchant Marine told Lloyd's List. The Han, reported to be Turkish operated, was described as taking a steel cargo from Turkey to Casablanca. The 1,505 tonne Alios Artemis was reportedly laden and bound for Crete
2007 - The Italian/Maltese air-naval exercise Canale 07 will take place in the waters and airspace outside Augusta, Sicily until June 9 aimed at enhancing cooperation
2007 - US Navy awarded Northrop Grumman Corporation a $2.4 billion fixed-price incentive contract for the detail design and construction of the amphibious assault ship, LHA 6. Work will be performed primarily at the company's shipyard in Pascagoula, Miss., and ship delivery is scheduled for 2012
2008 - Greg Combet, Parliamentary Secretary for Defense Procurement, paid tribute at a memorial service in Sydney for 21 sailors killed in the World War II attack on Sydney
2008 - 12 arrested at anti-nuclear weapon demonstration at the USN's Bangor submarine base
2009 - VP-10 relocates from NAS Brunswick to NAS Jacksonville; it will belong to Commander Patrol Reconnaissance Wing 5 (CPRW-5) until 1 Dec 2009, when it will belong to CPRW-11
2009 - VP-8 relocates from NAS Brunswick to NAS Jacksonville and switch from CPRW-5 to CPRW-11
2009 - HS-3 redesignated HSC-9 and switch from the SH-60F/HH-60H to the MH-60S helicopter. The squadron will relocate from NAS Jacksonville to NS Norfolk
2009 - USCG commissions Force Readiness Command (FORCECOM), the first command that oversees virtually all individual and asset-level training in the Service’s 220-year history, in a ceremony at Coast Guard Island in Alameda, CA
Copyright 2009 Shirlaw News Group ISSN 1710-6966
Today in History Archives
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